Elon University - Phi Psi Cli Yearbook (Elon, NC)

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REV. JAMES W. WELLONS, D. D. THE MOST LOYAL FRIEND TO OUR ALMA MATER, AND THE ONE WHO STOOD CLOSEST TO HER SIDE FROM HER BIRTH, WE DEDICATE THE SECOND ISSUE OF THE PHIPSICLI

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Rev. James W. Wku.uns, D. D.

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Rev, James Willis Wellons, D,D, ;iv ' . J. W. WELLOXS, D. D., to whom this second volume of the Phipsicli is deservedly and affectionately dedicated, was born in Sussex County, Virginia, January i. 1826, and is now a vigorous thinker at the advanced age of 89 years. The universal esteem in which he is held is abundantly attested by the salutation applied to him by all, Uncle Wellons, not out of respect to his years, but in appreciation of his pious life and vital concern in everyone. Dr. Wellons was licensed in 1854 and ordained to the Gospel ministry by the North Carolina and Virginia Christian Conference in 1856, and druing the sixty years that have since elapsed he has missed only two sessions of his Conference — one due to his being behind the Federal lines during the Civil War, the other due to serious illness — a record that we doubt can be matched. He has never missed a session of the Southern Christian Convention since 1854, and but one session of the American Christian Convention, and then on account of sickness. His strict attendance on his Conference sessions and his Church Conventions, has not been perfunctory, but arose out of the vital response of a devoted heart to duty, and no man has exercised a more powerful influence nor proven a worthier counselor than he. The beauty of his life is now seen in the sweet and gracious spirit in which he rejoices to see younger men taking the place of leadership so long conceded to him — sweet and gracious beyond the portrayal of language, because so sublimely sincere and absolutely unaffected. Dr. Wellons had preached as a local preacher by the authority of Barrett ' s Church, Southhampton County, a., for two years before he came to North Carolina and accepted license by his present Conference, but up to his twenty- sixth year was an interested layman, being a deacon, and also secretary and treasurer of the Church. It was at the earnest solicitation of his fellow-laymen that he first ' gave serious thought to the ministry. They recognized his rare gift for that important calling, and sixty-two years of devoted service has given abundant proof of his divine appointment to this work. Dr. Wellons made Franklinton, N. C, his headquarters for many ears, traveling from that town to his Churches, always among the best and most im- portant. He was a gifted singer and had great success as a revivalist. His ministry has been blessed in e.xtraordinar}- manner by the establishment of new Churches and the ingathering of souls in established congregations. The Church at Durham, N. C, finally succeeded in attracting him from Franklnton and as its pastor he continued in unstinted service till his health callapsed in 1902 and he came to Elon College to live out his days, in retirement as he thought, in the shadow of an institution of which he had been a staunch supporter from its origin, but God willed it otherwise. L ' ncle Wellons lives in the West Dormitory of the Colege afar from retired life, being co-pastor of the